PREMIER RECEIVED FORMER US AMBASSADOR
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.09.2009 20:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan has today received
former US Ambassador Michael Krieg Lemon, RA Government’s press service
reports. Meeting was also attended by US Ambassador in Armenia Mary
Jovanovich and RA Deputy FM Arman Kirakosyan,
Michael Krieg was United States Ambassador in Armenia in 1998-2001.
PROTOCOLS’ PROVISION ON SUB-COMMISSIONS IS TURKEY’S ATTEMPT TO SAVE FACE
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 19:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia is concerned over two issues in the
Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process.. These are formation of
sub-commission and the border, said Hayk Demoyan, director of Armenian
Genocide Museum Institute.
"At that, the provision on sub-commissions is nothing but Turkey’s
attempt to save face. It’s important that specialists will have
access to the documents on legal proceeding against instigators of
the Armenian Genocide. These archives have been closed not only for
Armenian but also for Turkish experts," he said.
Mr. Demoyan also underscored that the sub-commission should include
international law experts.
"Another important issue is the Armenian-Turkish border. The two
countries are separated by a frontier line not recognized by a
bilateral agreement," he said.
"If sides sign a bilateral agreement, the Treaty of Kars will be
denounced. The existing dividing line can be regarded as a temporary
border unless the specialists draw a conclusion," Mr. Demoyan said,
reminding that Armenia and Georgia have diplomatic relations but a
border agreement between them has not been sealed yet.
RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN RESIGNED?
Aysor
Sept 7 2009
Armenia
The rumors about the member of "Heritage" political party Raffi
Hovhannisyan the speaker of the party Hovsep Khurshudyan neither
neglected nor affirmed. "We do not comment on that information yet. We
neither neglect nor affirm it", – said Hovsep Khurshudyan.
The other member of the party and the chairman of the party Anahit
Bakhshian didn’t have any information concerning the subject, and
didn’t give any information either.
According to other resources the "Heritage" party has informed that
Raffi Hovhannisyan will comment on his step by himself.
PRESIDENT OF CROATIA WELCOMES ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION
Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 7 2009
Armenia
16:59 / 09/07/2009"Like any war makes peace, each conflict should
end with a treaty," President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic commented on
Armenia-Turkey normalization.
"We are content with the start of negotiations and ready to admit
any decision acceptable for friendly Armenian and Turkish people,"
Stjepan Mesic assured.
Today, RA President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Croatia on a 2-day
official visit. The two presidents will have a tête-a-tête meeting in
Bella Villa on Veliki Brioni Island with further enlarged participation
of Armenian and Croatian delegations, RA MFA press centre informs
NEWS.am. The presidential joint press conference will follow.
Later in the day, the Presidents will head from Pula to Zagreb to
attend Armenia-Croatia business forum. In Zagreb, Sargsyan will meet
with Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka BebiÄ~G and Croatian PM
Jadranka Kosor.
President of Croatia was on official visit in Yerevan on May 21-23,
2009.
DAVUTOGLU: "WE WISH FROZEN CONFLICTS TO BE DEFROSTED"
Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 7 2009
Armenia
"The opening of Armenia-Turkey border aims at the consolidation of
peace in Caucasus. It is not only the matter of Armenian-Turkish
relations, but also the settlement of regional issues", Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated at the joint briefing with
his Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze in Tbilisi, September 7.
According to him Turkey views the normalization of diplomatic relations
with Armenia in terms of peace enforcement in Caucasus and reached a
crucial stage in establishing relations with its neighbor. Turkish
FM outlined that Turkey wishes the current frozen conflicts to be
defrosted and settled, "Georgia Online" reports. Davutoglu said that
"Both he and his Georgian counterpart see the peacemaking in Caucasus
through the same prospective".
Turkish FM also will have meetings with the Speaker of Georgian
Parliament David Bakradze, Premier Nika Gilauri, President Mikheil
Saakashvili and representatives of diplomatic corps in Georgia.
ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS CONTAIN SEVERAL UNDISCLOSED POINTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 11:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Despite the time-limits specified by Armenian-Turkish
Protocols on normalization of bilateral ties, the current process
obviously marks the start of long-term negotiations. Turkey has
reasons for suspending and freezing ratification of documents by its
Parliament, Shahan Kandaharian, Editor-in-Chief of Azdak Beirut-based
newspaper, told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "Ankara’s policy fully
supports its interests. Although Protocols do not contain clear-cut
statements concerning recognition of Armenian Genocide, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and Kars Treaty, they do reflect the decision on
creating a historical commission. Besides, under these documents
signed, parties express willingness to respect principles of border
immunity and territorial integrity, thus reiterating the clauses of
Kars Treaty," the speaker noted, adding that parties had expressed
consent to fulfill agreements within 6 month. That time-limit expires
on October 13, following signature of Kars Treaty.
"The Protocols contain too many undisclosed point. But for us, the most
important thing is to prevent Turkey from splitting Armenian nation. We
are facing a new stage dictated by Turlish-imposed rules. Today, we
are more than ever required to demonstrate vigilance," Kandaharian
said. Such vigilance, according to him, is first of all required
for demonstrating that Armenia is for while Diaspora is against
Armenian-Turkish process and the documents signed. "It is, after all,
necessary to bear in mind that Turkey mostly seeks to imitate rather
than show real interest in normalizing Armenian-Turkish ties. Ankara
itself will torpedo the current stage and show international community
that it hasn’t given up its preconditions," "Azdak’s" Editor-in-Chief
said.
TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-323-461-4247
Contact: [email protected]
TCA ARSHAG DICKRANIAN SCHOOL STARTS ITS 2009 – 2010 ACADEMIC YEAR
The Opening Ceremony took place on Tuesday, September 1
Los Angeles, September 4, 2009 – TCA Arshag Dickranian School re-opened
its doors for the 29th successive year to its students with the pomp and
circumstance of its traditional Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, September 1,
2009 at 8:30 a.m.
The event took place at the open court yard of the school, where students
ranging from Pre-Kindergarten toddlers to 12 Grade Seniors took their
assigned places under the watchful eyes of their teachers and the cheerful
sighs of their parents.
The Very Reverend Father Bared Yeretzian, representing His Eminence Arch.
Hovnan Derderian, Rev. Manoug Markarian of St. John Garabed Church,
Benefactors Mrs. Eleanor Dickranian, Mrs. Cynthia Norian, Mrs. Laurel
Karabian, Mr. Kevork Tashjian and Mr. Hmayak Baltayan, School Board
Memebers Mr. George K. Mandossian, Mrs. Angine Garibyan and Mrs. Arpi
Avanesian-Idolor were among the special guests attending the back to
school ceremony along with the school Principal Mr. Vartkes Kourouyan.
The Opening Ceremony was led by Fr. Bared, who ended his prayers by adding
his blessings to the students and well wishes to all those who were
present.
Mrs. Arpi Avanesian – Idolor greeted the students, teachers and parents on
behalf of The School Board of Trustees, reminding the students of the
importance of learning and the sacrifices being made by their parents,
School Board of Trustees and teachers in helping them achieve their
education at Arshag Dickranian School.
Mrs. Laurel Karabian next took the podium to speak on behalf of the
Dickranian Family. After welcoming the students and staff, Mrs. Karabian
urged the students to keep the fire in their spirits as well as the torch
of Arshag Dickranian School always lit.
The program was concluded by the remarks of Principal Vartkes Kourouyan
who welcomed all the new and returning students alike. Mr. Kourouyan
highlighted the positive changes that were made at the school during
summer recess. `We are happy to announce that fifty new students have
enrolled at our school this year,’ said Mr. Kourouyan and added by
informing the parents that the school will be concentrating on character
building and standardized tests. Mr. Kourouyan also mentioned that the
school will continue participating in interscholastic and national sports
tournaments this year. Mr. Kourouyan concluded his remarks by declaring
the beginning of the 2009-2010 scholastic year and asked for the
cooperation of every one to achieve overall success.
Located at 1200 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag
Dickranian Armenian School is a federally tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade
private educational institution. For more information visit
ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Sept 4 2009
Official accuses foreign media of efforts to spoil Azeri-Turkish ties
[Presenter] The circulation of misinformation and false articles and
reports about Azerbaijan in the Turkish media gives rise to some
concern when talks on the establishment of diplomatic ties are under
way between Turkey and Armenia. The head of the foreign relations
department of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, Novruz
Mammadov, has said in an interview to ANS TV. He said that the
circulation of inaccurate reports is aimed at delivering a blow to
Azerbaijani-Turkish ties.
[Correspondent over video of scenes from Turkey and Armenia] The
publication of false reports on Azerbaijan in the Turkish media when
talks on normalizing ties between Turkey and Armenia are under way
extremely surprised me. The head of the foreign relations department
of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, Novruz Mammadov, has
said this in an interview with ANS TV. He said that the circulation of
similar reports at this sensitive moment might cause confusion in
Azerbaijani and Turkish societies.
[Mammadov speaking at his office] I saw [this] with great surprise at
the website of the Bu Gun paper, which is published in Turkey. It
notes that the Azerbaijani president allegedly cut short his visit to
Georgia, returned to Azerbaijan, and convened an extraordinary session
of the Milli Majlis immediately after Azerbaijan heard about steps on
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border. I think such events may
confuse Turkish and Azerbaijani societies.
[Correspondent] Mammadov said that Bu Gun paper’s report on the visit
of Azerbaijani MPs to Turkey precisely in connection with the latest
issues was wide of the mark. The MPs’ visit was planned two months
ago. No other implication should be sought here. However, the Bu Gun
paper, which is published in Turkey, is not the only media outlet
wishing to cool ties and strategic partnership between Baku and
Ankara. Russia’s pro-Armenian Regnum news agency also disseminates
misinformation.
[Mammadov] From time to time, … [changes tack] This is the website
of a person serving the Armenians and their religion and feeding on
them. From time to time [presumably, the agency] writes false,
slanderous, and biased reports. Taking advantage of this moment today,
they want to cool Turkish-Azerbaijani ties, they want to cause some
confusion and conflict in Turkish-Azerbaijani ties. However, they will
never achieve this.
[Correspondent] The Azerbaijani official called on the country’s
public not to be concerned over inaccurate reports in the foreign
media.
DASHNAKTSUTIUN’S UPCOMING PROTESTS DICTATED BY NON-CONSTRUCTIVITY: EXPERTS
Trend
Sept 3 2009
Azerbaijan
Opposition Dashnaktsutiun party’s protests are dictated by its
toughness and unconstructive, which could lead Armenia to negative
consequences, experts said.
"Dashnaksare hardline and unconstructive; therefore it is no
surprise that they will continue to object to the Foreign Ministry’s
policy. Armenian diaspora community, supporting "Dashnaktsutiun",
does not work towards the interests of the Armenian state," European
expert on the South Caucasus, Amanda Akcakoca, said.
The Dashnaks intend to present their claim at the opposition meeting in
Yerevan on September 2. Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenian-Turkish
relations will be discussed there, Head of the Ay Data Central Office
and the ARF Political Affairs Bureau, Kiro Manoyan, ARKA agency said.
The "Dashnaktsutiun" Armenian party continues to insist on
the resignation of Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward
Nalbandian. The ARF said that events occurring around Armenia and
Karabakh have extremely dangerous tendencies in the context of national
state interests.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Several experts said that the ‘Dashnaktsutiun’ influences on Armenian
policy. But it is likely to negatively affect Armenian foreign policy.
"The ‘Dashnaktsutiun’ has been already exerting pressure that limits
variants of Armenian authorities’ policy which are under opposition’s
pressure in Armenia," Director, Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), Richard Giragosian, said.
"Since the April decision by the leadership of the "Armenian
Revolutionary Federation" (ARF) party, or "Dashnaktsutiun" party, to
leave the pro-government ruling coalition, the Dashnaktsutiun party has
become very critical of two specific areas of Armenian foreign policy:
the Nagorno Karabagh issue and the diplomatic process of engagement
between Armenia and Turkey," Giragosian told Trend News via E-mail.
Giragosian said that opposition, especially, the "Dashnaktsutiun"
standing against two major pillars of current Armenian foreign policy,
clearly enhances pressure on the Armenian government.
Whatever steps are taken by Armenia in these two important matters,
it is fundamental to understand that the Foreign Minister is not the
main decision maker, as regards Armenian foreign policy, expert on
South Caucasus, Lichinia Simao, said.
She said that the President is de facto the decision maker in these
issues, and therefore a possible resignation of the Edward Nalbandian
would not change radically the course of the Armenian foreign policy.
"Most likely we will continue to see a constant adjustment of the
ambitious goals of normalisation of Turkish-Armenian relations and the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict based on the Madrid principles,
according to the domestic shifts of power in Armenia," expert on
South Caucasus, a PhD candidate at the University of Coimbra, Simao,
told Trend News via E-mail.
The current process of normalization of relations between Armenia
and Turkey has been largely condemned by the Dasknaks.
Position on Armenian foreign policy, namely on the conflict over
Nagorno Karabakh and relations with Turkey, can be considered strongly
nationalistic and conservative, she said.
Observers said that Dashnaktsutiun’s position, supported by the World
Armenian lobby, is a non-constructive and can lead to unfortunate
consequences.
"It is veryclear that it isin Armenia’s own interests to have a
resolution to the Karabakh conflict sooner rather than later as well
as having normalization of relations with Turkey," European expert
on the South Caucasus, Amanda Akcakoca told Trend News over phone
from Brussels.
Unfortunately, Armenian diaspora community does not work towards the
interests of the Armenian state. They have their own agenda which is
not based on realities, this in turns makes itdifficult for Yerevan
to act freely without pressure, she said.
"Nagorno Karabakh, as stressed in 4 UN resolutions is part of
Azerbaijan. This is not going to change and any solution will be
based on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," expert said.
She said that Dashnack’s policy is not at all in line with this and
it therefore counterproductive to say the least.
Simao said that the mediation process has been kept very secret and
concessions have generally been regarded as a defeat. "The Dasknaks
has refused to accept the Madrid principles as valid framework for the
solution of the conflict and has been gathering support within Nagorno
Karabakh, publicly calling for the inclusion of the non-recognized
republic in the official negotiations," she said.
However, Turkish expert Sinan Ogan thinks that Dashnaks’ radical
statements will not affect the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict and normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, as the
party has no support of the Armenian population.
"The Armenian authorities are not under the influence of Dashnaks, but
rather listen to outside political forces. If the process of improving
Turkish-Armenian relations slows down in future, not Dashnaks, but
the world Armenian lobby, opposing the normalization of relations,
will be guilty of it", he said.
Ogan said that if Armenia wants to achieve progress in foreign policy
and relations with its neighbors, it must get rid of dictates of the
Armenian lobby. "This organization rests on the Armenian conflicts
with Turkey and Azerbaijan. If these problems are solved, the Armenian
lobby will lose political significance," Ogan said.
KAZAKHSTAN: RIGHTS ACTIVIST’S MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL OPENS AMID INTENSE INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY
Joanna Lillis
Eurasia Insight
ticles/eav090209a.shtml
9/02/09
One of Kazakhstan’s most prominent human rights activists went on
trial September 2, charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The
trial has cast a spotlight on Kazakhstan’s judicial system. It is also
being viewed as a litmus test of Astana’s commitment to democratic
procedures, coming as it does just four months before Kazakhstani
officials take over the helm of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Yevgeniy Zhovtis, director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau
for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, went on trial at the Balkhash
District Court in the Almaty Region. He is accused of manslaughter in
the death of Kanat Moldabayev, who succumbed after being struck by a
vehicle driven by Zhovtis on July 26. That fact is not in dispute. At
issue are the degree of Zhovtis’s culpability in the case, and the
fairness of the legal proceedings.
Making a statement at the opening of the trial, which is being held
in Bakanas, about three hours’ drive from Almaty, Zhovtis said the
trial had been politicized. The July 26 accident occurred not far
from Bakanas.
Repeating condolences to bereaved members of Moldabayev’s family,
Zhovtis said he accepted "moral responsibility" for the accident. He
has given Moldabayev’s relatives roughly $15,000 in compensation, which
has been accepted. But he insisted that such a gesture had no bearing
on his legal culpability. "From the legal point of view I am innocent,
and I intend to prove this," he told the court, which was packed with
Western and OSCE diplomats, journalists, human rights activists and
leaders of Kazakhstan’s opposition parties. "Unfortunately, judging
by what is happening, this accident is being used to persecute me,"
he added.
The defense says Zhovtis’s right to a fair trial has already been
violated by numerous infringements. One of the most serious alleged
legal violations involves Zhovtis’ status during the investigation. He
originally figured as a witness, but on July 28 he was re-categorized
as a manslaughter suspect. He was informed about the change of status
only on August 14. This lag in notification, the defense argues,
deprived him of his constitutional rights, and prevented him from
becoming acquainted with the evidence gathered by the state. A defense
bid to have the case dropped and a subsequent motion to change the
judge were both rejected.
The crux of the case hinges on whether Zhovtis could have avoided
hitting Moldabayev, who was walking in the middle of a dark highway at
the time of the accident. An initial official report found that Zhovtis
had no alcohol in his system. However, a second official finding found
traces of alcohol, but well under the legal limit for intoxication.
Zhovtis says he could not have avoided hitting the victim, given the
prevailing circumstances. He argued at length in court — ultimately
unsuccessfully — to have a crucial document called the auto-technical
expert conclusion thrown out as evidence on the grounds that the data
it contained was spurious. The complicated set of speed and distance
calculations purported to show that the accident was avoidable,
but the defense argues that the data is unsubstantiated.
Zhovtis’s testimony was backed by that of his three traveling
companions, who were called as defense witnesses. Sergey Nagorniy,
who was traveling in the front seat of the vehicle, said during his
examination that "something appeared sharply from right to left ? and
there was a blow."
"I definitely did not see a person," he added.
As prosecutor Altay Zhanibekov and Marat Kabulov, the lawyer
representing the victim’s family, attempted to find discrepancies
in the defense witnesses’ testimony, the atmosphere in court became
charged. At times, audible, derisive comments were made by attendees
in the public gallery. "Respect the court!" Judge Kulan Tolkunov
barked at offenders. He stopped short of ejecting them, despite
Kabulov’s urgings.
Emotions spilled over when Kabulov sought to press Nagorniy on where
Moldabayev had been on the highway and indulged in some unexpectedly
lighthearted remarks about the location of the corpse. "You are saying
terrible things," said a visibly shocked Nagorniy.
"I am not a toastmaster; I am a lawyer," riposted Kabulov, to the
visible surprise of many in the public gallery. Kabulov followed up
with a call on all present to show respect for the court. "It is you
who is showing disrespect," called out Tolegen Zhukeyev, secretary
general of the opposition Azat Party, from the public gallery,
earning another reprimand from the judge. After Nagorniy’s testimony,
Moldabayev’s mother left the courtroom assisted by a relative.
Manat Moldabayev, the elder brother of the deceased and the first to
arrive at the scene of the crash, then testified, placing blame for
the tragedy on Zhovtis.
Kabulov, the lawyer for the victim’s family, indulged in flamboyant
rhetoric on several occasions during the proceedings. For example,
after Manat Moldabayev’s testimony, the lawyer said; "I have come
to defend the people whose blood has flowed!" The presiding judge at
one point ordered Kabulov to tone down his remarks.
The trial is scheduled to continue on September 3. A verdict is
possible on that day, some observers say. Zhovtis faces up to five
years in prison if convicted.
A statement issued by Human Rights Watch on September 1 stressed the
need for Zhovtis to receive a fair trial. "With [the] forthcoming OSCE
chairmanship, now is an important time for Kazakhstan’s authorities
to show that they fully observe fair trial standards," Andrea Berg,
Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in remarks quoted
in a press release.
Some local observers, however, doubt that Zhovtis will get a fair
trial. "There is no chance of a fair trial," Petr Svoik, Azat party
deputy chairman, told EurasiaNet during a short adjournment in the
proceedings. "All the behavior of the court shows that some sort of
order [on the verdict] exists."
Zhovtis’s human rights work has earned him plenty of enemies, Svoik
added. "[The order] is not from the very top," he suggested. "It is
probably the leaders of law-enforcement bodies whose lives Zhovtis
has spoiled and who have decided to take revenge."
Editor’s Note: Joanna Lillis is a freelance writer who specializes
in Central Asia.